Detecting temperature sensor anomalies in connected thermostats

ABSTRACT

Generally discussed herein are techniques, software, apparatuses, and systems configured for detecting an anomaly in a temperature sensor. In one or more embodiments an apparatus can include one or more computer processors configured to: (1) receive a series of temperature sensor readings from a temperature sensor, (2) determine if the temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations as a function of the received sensor readings, and (3) in response to determining that the temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations, recording in a memory data indicating that the temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations.

BACKGROUND

Thermostats are commonly used to help control temperature, humidity, andother comfort level factors in individual structures and zones withinthose structures. The number of thermostats used in the United States isincreasing. The thermostats can be coupled to temperature and humiditysensors and can be coupled to the internet. The thermostat can beprogrammed to trigger a heating and cooling system to either heat orcool a zone when the temperature or humidity goes above or below aprogrammed threshold.

SUMMARY

An apparatus can include one or more computer processors configured to:(1) receive a series of temperature sensor readings from a temperaturesensor, (2) determine if the temperature sensor is exhibiting behaviorconsistent with experiencing oscillations as a function of the receivedsensor readings, and (3) in response to determining that the temperaturesensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations,recording in a memory data indicating that the temperature sensor isexhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations.

A technique can include receiving a series of temperature sensorreadings from a temperature sensor, determining if the temperaturesensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillationsas a function of the received sensor readings, and in response todetermining that the temperature sensor is exhibiting behaviorconsistent with experiencing oscillations, recording in a memory dataindicating that the temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistentwith experiencing oscillations.

A computer readable storage device can include instructions storedthereon, the instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause themachine to perform operations including receiving a series oftemperature sensor readings from a temperature sensor, determining ifthe temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent withexperiencing oscillations as a function of the received sensor readings,and in response to determining that the temperature sensor is exhibitingbehavior consistent with experiencing oscillations, recording in amemory data indicating that the temperature sensor is exhibitingbehavior consistent with experiencing oscillations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. Like numerals havingdifferent letter suffixes may represent different instances of similarcomponents. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, butnot by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the presentdocument.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a comfort levelsystem in an area (e.g., room(s), building(s), zone(s), other area, or acombination thereof).

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a line graph of temperature versusmonth for a January in Fond Du Lac, Wis.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a line graph of temperature versus datefor a January in Brooklyn Park, Minn.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a line graph of temperature and a faultdetector output versus date for a January in Brooklyn Park, Minn.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a line graph of temperature and a faultdetector output versus month for a January in Laredo, Tex.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a line graph of temperature and a faultdetector output versus date for a January in Saint Louis, Mo.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a line graph of temperature and a faultdetector output versus month for January in San Antonio, Tex.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a line graph of temperature and a faultdetector output versus month for January in West Valley City, Utah.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a user-interface ofa thermostat.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of examples of time windows andmoving or sliding time windows.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a technique.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While embodiments of this disclosure can take many different forms,specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will bedescribed herein in detail with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and isnot intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodimentsillustrated.

Connected thermostats can create large amounts of data. Analytics on thedata created by these thermostats can have the potential to provideinsights for smart grid and utility businesses. The insight can be inthe form of a forecast of demand response potential, operational setpoint recommendations for energy or cost savings, energy efficiencyupgrade recommendations, or diagnosis of equipment problems, amongothers. Connected thermostats (e.g., thermostats connected to theinternet) can produce time-series data including an indoor displaytemperature and humidity, temperature set points, outdoor temperatureand humidity, or heating or cooling mode. The data can be recorded whena change in the data occurs or periodically regardless of whether thedata value has changed.

An outdoor temperature sensor for a thermostat can be either notinstalled correctly or located incorrectly (e.g., not outdoors).Sometimes the temperature sensor can produce high frequency oscillatorydata, such as around a mean value, such as a mean value not related to(e.g., with little or no correlation to) the actual outdoor temperature.These anomalies can be detected, such as to allow corrective action tobe taken. Algorithms configured to detect, such as automatically (e.g.,without human action or interference), anomalies can be helpful foradditional analytics in processing thermostat data. Such algorithms canbe helpful for repairing a problem or saving energy, such as to helpincrease customer comfort or economy.

The following description describes systems, apparatuses, techniques,and software configured to detect anomalies in a temperature sensor,such as a temperature sensor that is supposed to be located outdoors, atemperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencingoscillations, or that the temperature sensor is not operating properly.Such anomalies can be detected by analyzing temperature sensor readings.As used herein, as “temperature sensor reading” is data corresponding toa temperature detected at a temperature sensor.

Apparatuses, systems, techniques, and software will now be furtherdescribed with references to figures.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a comfort level system 100 for an area (e.g.,room, building, or other indoor space) can include one or morethermostats 102, one or more temperature sensors 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D,and 104E, or one or more humidity sensors 106A, 106B, 106C, 106D, and106E. Humidity and temperature sensing may be implemented in a samepackage. For example temperature sensor 104A and humidity sensor 106Amay be implemented in a single package. The following discussion regardsdetecting anomalies in temperature sensors, however, the sameapparatuses, systems, techniques, and software can be applied to ahumidity sensor to detect an anomaly in a humidity sensor.

The thermostat 102 may be wired or wirelessly coupled to the temperaturesensors 104A-E or humidity sensors 106A-E. The thermostat 102 canreceive air temperature information (e.g., data representative of atemperature of air) directly from the temperature sensors 104A-E or froma network 110 which the temperature sensors 104A-E are communicativelycoupled to. Similarly, the thermostat 102 can receive air humidityinformation (e.g., data representative of a humidity of air) directlyfrom the humidity sensors 106A-E or from a network 110 that the humiditysensors 106A-E are communicatively coupled to.

The thermostat 102 can include one or more temperature set points thatcan be set by a user. The one or more temperature set points can be seton a schedule. For example, a user can decide that they would like anarea to be warmer during the day than at night. In such a situation, theuser can set a first temperature set point for 7:00 AM and a second,different temperature set point for 11:00 PM. The thermostat 102 can usethe first temperature set point as the desired temperature of the areafrom 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM and the second temperature set point as thedesired temperature for the area from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Temperatureset points could be set for longer or shorter lengths of time, such ashourly, daily, weekly, monthly, etc. Temperature set points can be setbased on solar activity, such as sunrise, sunset, or how much sunexposure the area is exposed to (e.g., mostly sunny, partly cloudy,etc.), among others. Information about solar activity can be retrievedthrough the network 110.

The thermostat 102 can include a global positioning system (GPS) sensorthat it can use to determine (e.g., automatically determine) itslocation. The location can be used to determine weather data, such asthrough the internet. The thermostat 102 can use Internet Protocol (IP)address information, cell tower information, GPS, or any other wired orwireless method to determine its geographic location.

One or more air temperature sensors 104A-E can be communicativelycoupled to the thermostat 102. The temperature sensors 104A-E cantransmit data representative of an air temperature (e.g., a temperaturereading) to the thermostat 102 either directly to the thermostat 102 orindirectly, such as through network 110. The temperature sensor 104A-Ecan be configured to transmit air temperature data periodically,continuously, or at or around the time the thermostat 102 requeststemperature data. One or more temperature sensors 104A-E can be placedinside an area to measure inside air temperature and transmit an insideair temperature data to the thermostat 102, such as temperature sensor104E of FIG. 1. In one or more embodiments, more than one temperaturesensor 104A-E may be placed in different locations in the same area,such as an area with a large volume. One or more temperature sensors104A-D can be placed outside an area (e.g., outdoors) to measure outsideair temperature and transmit an outside air temperature reading to thethermostat 102. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, temperature sensors104A-D measure outside air temperature and transmit data representativeof outside air temperature to the thermostat 102.

One or more air humidity sensors 106A-E can be communicatively coupledto the thermostat 102. A humidity sensor 106A-E can transmit datarepresentative of an air humidity to the thermostat 102, either directlyto the thermostat 102 or indirectly, such as through network 110. Ahumidity sensor 106A-E can be configured to transmit air humidity dataperiodically, continuously, or at or around the time the thermostat 102requests humidity data from the respective humidity sensor 106A-E. Oneor more humidity sensors 106A-E can be placed inside an area to measureinside air humidity and transmit inside air humidity data to thethermostat 102. Humidity sensor 106E of FIG. 1 shows an example of aninside air humidity sensor 106E. In one or more embodiments, more thanone humidity sensor 106A-E may be placed in different locations in thesame area, such as an area with a large volume. One or more humiditysensors 106A-D can be placed outside an area to measure outside airhumidity (e.g., outdoor air humidity) and transmit an outside airhumidity to the thermostat 102. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,humidity sensors 106A-D measure outside air humidity and transmit datarepresentative of outside air humidity to the thermostat 102.

Network 110 can be communicatively coupled to the thermostat 102,temperature sensors 104A-E, humidity sensors 106A-E, or computersystem(s) 400 (shown in FIG. 4). The network 110 can be configured torelay temperature, humidity, weather forecast (e.g., a predictedtemperature, humidity, whether it will rain, snow, or storm, or otherweather forecast information) to the thermostat 102.

The network 110, thermostat 102, fault detector 112, computer system1200 (see FIG. 12), or other device can be configured to detect ananomaly or pattern in the data transmitted by the temperature sensor104A-E or humidity sensor 106A-E. An anomaly or pattern can be data thatis exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations, thatthe data sent from the temperature sensor 104A-E is more consistent witheither indoor or outdoor temperatures, or that the temperature sensor104A-E is sending one, or only a small range, of temperature readings(e.g., a constant minimum or maximum value, or only a small range oftemperatures, such as five degrees or less) to the thermostat 102,network 110, or fault detector 112.

Detecting an anomaly in the temperature sensor 104A-E can includedetermining if the temperature sensor 104A-E is missing or incorrectlyinstalled. Detecting such an anomaly can include determining if thetemperature sensor 104A-E is stuck at a specific value or not sendingtemperature data. An incorrectly installed or missing temperature sensor104A-E can either send no data or send data that is of a nearly constantvalue, such as a maximum or a minimum value for the given number ofbits, such as −128 F or 128 F. The algorithm can detect such an anomalyby determining if the maximum, minimum, or no value is being transmittedby the temperature sensor 104A-E, such for a specified period of time.

Detecting an anomaly in the temperature sensor 104A-E can includedetecting oscillations (e.g., high frequency oscillations oroscillations with a frequency greater than a specified threshold), suchas oscillations around a mean value. As used herein, a temperaturesensor 104A-E oscillating means that the temperature sensor 104A-E istransmitting data that indicates that the temperature sensor isexhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations andinconsistent with the normal oscillation patterns of the temperature orhumidity readings in the given area around the temperature sensor.Detecting oscillations can be based on the nature (e.g., frequency,magnitude, time of day, among others) of the oscillations or excursions(e.g., oscillations or trend reversals) that are normal for the locationof the temperature sensor.

Oscillations can be detected by detecting trends (e.g., whether thetemperature readings from the temperature sensor 104A-E indicate thatthe temperature is increasing or decreasing) and updating a trendreversal variable if the temperature goes from increasing to decreasingor decreasing to increasing, such as by counting or incrementing thenumber of trend reversals within a time window (e.g., a specified ormoving time window, see FIG. 10 and the corresponding description ofFIG. 10 for more details regarding moving or sliding windows). The trendreversal variable can be compared to previous values of the trendreversal variable detected within a time window of the same size, suchas at previous times. Such a comparison can be done to determine if thetrend reversals (e.g., oscillations) within the time window issufficiently close to a specified value (e.g., the number of trendreversals is within one, two, or other number of the expected value forthe specified time covered by the time window) so as to determinewhether the temperature sensor 104A-E is experiencing an abnormal numberof trend reversals within the time window. In one or more embodiments,the comparison can be done to determine if the trend reversal variableremains nearly constant (e.g., the number of trend reversals is withinone or two of an expected value). If it is determined that the trendreversal variable is not sufficiently close to the constant value, itcan be determined that the temperature sensor is oscillating. If it isdetermined that an abnormal number of trend reversals has occurredwithin the time window a fault (e.g., an oscillation fault) can bedeclared for that time window.

The calculation can be repeated for future time windows. If a fault isdeclared for a number of sequential time windows (e.g., if a number ofsequential faults is determined to be greater than a specifiedthreshold) then it can be determined that the temperature sensor 104A-Eis oscillating. In one or more embodiments, detecting if the temperaturesensor 104A-E is oscillating can include determining a differencebetween (1) an average of a minimum and a maximum temperature readingobserved in a time window and (2) an average of all temperaturereadings, such as all temperature readings in the same time window. Thedifference of averages can be compared to a threshold to determine if itis within an expected range of differences. If the difference ofaverages is greater than the threshold, then it the oscillations can bedetermined to be normal oscillations. If the difference of averages isless than the threshold, then the trend reversal variable can becompared to another threshold. In one or more embodiments, anoscillation fault is declared in response to determining that the trendreversal variable is greater than a first threshold and the differenceof averages is less than a second threshold.

By detecting oscillations in these ways, false positives can be reducedor even minimized, such as when there are rapid fluctuations intemperature or electronic noise in the sensor data. A threshold valuefor the trend reversal variable can be assigned based on actual historicsensor data or other sets of normal data. The sequential number ofwindows with a positive oscillatory behavior (e.g., a fault beingdeclared) can be counted. This sequential number of windows with apositive oscillatory behavior can be compared to a specified thresholdthat indicates the number of sequential windows to be detected prior todeclaring a positive anomaly declaration. Such an approach can helpdetect anomalous oscillatory behavior correctly or reject declaring afault when normal sensor oscillations are observed.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a line graph of temperature vs. month datafor a January in Fond Du Lac, Wis. FIG. 2 shows the cooling set point214A of a thermostat 102, the heating set point 214B of the thermostat102, the display temperature 214C on the thermostat 102 display (914A or914B of FIG. 9, for example), and the sensor temperature 214D from atemperature sensor 104A-E coupled to the thermostat 102 or network 110.The graph in FIG. 2 depicts a normal set of temperature data that isconsistent with a temperature sensor 104A-E being located outside inWisconsin in January and not oscillating, improperly installed, orstuck. This graph can be seen as a control graph depicting normal,expected data or observations.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a line graph of temperature vs. date data fora January in Brooklyn Park, Minn. FIG. 3 shows the cooling set point312A of a thermostat 102, the heating set point 312B of the thermostat102, the display temperature 312C on the thermostat 102 display (914A or914B of FIG. 9, for example), and the sensor temperature 312D from atemperature sensor 104A-E coupled to the thermostat 102 or network 110.As can be seen in FIG. 3, the temperature sensor 104A-E startsoscillating sometime near the end of the day on January 19.

FIG. 4 shows a line graph depicting the sensor temperature 312D fromFIG. 3 and the output 414 of the fault detector 112 configured todetermine if a temperature sensor 104A-E is oscillating. The output 414indicates, such as by being asserted to a voltage that corresponds to abinary “1” or being grounded to correspond to a binary “0”) that thetemperature sensor 104A-E began oscillating at some date between January15 and January 22, and continued to oscillate beyond January 29. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, a fault of the temperature sensor 104A-E isindicated when the output 414 is “1”. When the number of faults (e.g.,sequential faults) is greater than a specified threshold number offaults, then it can be determined that the temperature sensor 104A-E isoscillating. Proper personnel (e.g., maintenance, a building owner, anemployee responsible for ensuring the temperature sensor is in workingorder, among other personnel) can be alerted in response to determiningthe temperature sensor 104A-E is oscillating. Such alerts can include atext message, email, sound alarm, or other alert.

FIG. 5 shows an example line graph depicting sensor temperature 512 dataand a corresponding fault detector 112 output 514 for a January inLaredo, TX. While some faults are triggered, as indicated by the output514 being a “1”, the temperature sensor 104A-E may not be determined tobe oscillating if the threshold number of faults (e.g., sequentialfaults) is set to a sufficiently high number so as to avoid a singlefault triggering a determination that the temperature sensor 104A-E isoscillating. Note that, in FIGS. 4 and 5 the output 414 and 514 indicateif a fault has occurred, where a fault is a preliminary indication thatthe temperature sensor 104A-E might be oscillating.

Detecting an anomaly in the temperature sensor 104A-E can includedetermining if the temperature sensor 104A-E is in the proper location(e.g., outdoors or indoors). Such anomalies can be detected based on anoutdoor air temperature obtained from an outside source, such as awebsite (e.g., Weather Underground, weather.com, or other website thatmaintains such data). The data collected from the temperature sensor104A-E and the outside source can be divided into respective timewindows. In one or more embodiments, it can be determined if a displaytemperature is sufficiently different from the outdoor temperature(e.g., about five degrees F. different or more). Such a determinationcan help ensure that a sufficient difference between the indoor andoutdoor temperatures exists so as to be gable to determine if thetemperature sensor readings are more closely correlated with one of themand not the other. Having indoor and outdoor temperatures that are closeto each other can cause difficulties in determining which of the indooror outdoor temperatures the sensor temperature is more closelycorrelated with.

Differences can be calculated as: (1) the temperature obtained from theoutside source minus the temperature detected by the temperature sensor104A-E and (2) a temperature set point of the corresponding thermostatand the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The differencescalculated can be used to determine Root Mean Square (RMS) errorsbetween the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and theoutdoor and indoor temperatures, respectively. The differences can becalculated as a function of each temperature reading received from thetemperature sensor within a time window (e.g., a moving or sliding timewindow). Such calculations can help determine if the outdoor temperaturesensed a temperature closer to the outdoor temperature indicated by theoutside source or the room/zone temperature indoors.

A threshold can be specified so as to set a limit on a ratio between thedifferences or errors calculated based on the differences: (1) thetemperature obtained from the outside source minus the temperaturedetected by the temperature sensor and (2) a temperature set point ofthe corresponding thermostat minus the temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 104A-E. If the ratio between the errors ordifferences is greater than the threshold, a fault can be triggered. Ifa specified number of sequential faults is triggered (e.g., if a numberof sequential faults exceeds a threshold) a location of the temperaturesensor 104A-E can be determined to be in error (e.g., a location faultfor the temperature sensor 104A-E can be declared). Such an approach canhelp detect anomalies where the temperature sensor is not properlylocated and can help reduce the number of false positives declared ascompared to using other algorithms to detect the same.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a line graph of temperature and faultdetector 112 output versus date for a January in Saint Louis, Mo. Theline graph includes set point temperature 612A, thermostat 102 displaytemperature 612B, sensor temperature 612C and fault detector 112 output614. The fault detector 112 in this embodiment is determining if thetemperature sensor 104A-E is properly located. In this embodiment thetemperature sensor 104A-E is supposed to be located outdoors. The sensortemperature 612C detected by the temperature sensor 104A-E should havelittle or no correlation with the indoor or display temperature 612B. Ifit is determined that the sensor temperature 612C and the displaytemperature 612B are sufficiently correlated (e.g., if a ratio betweendifferences or errors calculated based on the differences: (1) thetemperature obtained from the outside source minus the temperaturedetected by the temperature sensor 104A-E and (2) a temperature detectedby the corresponding thermostat minus the temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 104A-E, is greater than a specified threshold) then afault can be declared (e.g., the output 614 of the fault detector 112can be asserted or grounded, as appropriate). As can be seen in FIG. 6,though, no faults have been declared since the display temperature 612Band the sensor temperature 612C are not sufficiently correlated in thisexample.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a line graph of temperature and faultdetector 112 output versus month for a January in San Antonio, Texas.The line graph includes set point temperature 712A, thermostat 102display temperature 712B, sensor temperature 712C, and fault detector112 output 714. In this example the temperature sensor 104A-E issupposed to be located outdoors. As can be seen in FIG. 7, there is astrong correlation between the sensor temperature 712C and the displaytemperature 712B. The fault detector 112 output 714 in this example isconstantly asserted at “1” since the ratio of differences or errors (asdiscussed in the previous paragraph) is greater than a specifiedthreshold. In this case, since the sensor temperature 712C and thedisplay temperature 712B are so closely correlated, the differencebetween sensor temperature 712C and the display temperature 712B (and acorresponding error calculated based on these values) would be smallrelative to the example shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the number that is theratio of differences or errors would be relatively large (e.g., becausethe denominator of the ratio is small).

FIG. 8 shows an example of a line graph of temperature and faultdetector 112 output versus month for a January in West Valley City,Utah. The line graph includes thermostat 102 display temperature 812A,sensor temperature 812B, outdoor temperature data 812C received from anoutside source and fault detector 112 output 814. In this example, thetemperature sensor 104A-E is supposed to be located outdoors. As can beseen, the fault detector 112 output 814 indicates that the temperaturesensor 104A-E is likely located improperly. This is because the faultdetector 112 output 814 is asserted for a majority of the time, orbecause a number of faults (e.g., sequential faults) meets or exceeds aspecified threshold. In this example, the temperature sensor 104A-Dcould be located outdoors, but in a location that is warmer than normaloutdoor temperatures in the region. As a result, the temperature sensor104A-D is not getting an accurate reading of the outdoor temperature.

The fault detector 112 output 814 being asserted can indicate that thesensor temperature is too closely correlated or not sufficientlycorrelated to (1) the outdoor temperature data 812C or (2) the displaytemperature 812A. By configuring which error or difference is in thenumerator or denominator of the ratio and modifying the threshold, thesystem, apparatus, or technique can be configured to detect whether theis too closely correlated or not sufficiently correlated to (1) theoutdoor temperature data 812C or (2) the display temperature 812A. Forexample, to determine if the sensor temperature 812B is sufficientlycorrelated to the indoor temperature the ratio can be configured to havethe difference or error calculated based on (1) the temperature obtainedfrom the outside source minus the temperature detected by thetemperature sensor in the denominator and (2) a temperature detected byan indoor temperature sensor 104A-E communicating with the thermostat102 minus the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 104A-E inthe numerator. If this ratio is greater than a specified threshold, thenthe sensor temperature readings can be determined to be not sufficientlycorrelated to the indoor temperature (e.g., display temperature 812A)and a fault can be declared.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a user interface 900 of a thermostat 102. Theuser interface 900 can include one or more settings buttons 912A-F andone or more information screens 914A-B. The settings buttons 912 cancorrespond to configuring what is displayed on the information screens914, heating or cooling settings, system information and configurationoptions, or ventilation options, among others. For example, a user canconfigure the temperature set points of the thermostat 102 using theheating or cooling settings. In one or more embodiments, a user can seta temperature set point that indicates when the thermostat 102 shouldinitiate heating an area and another temperature set point thatindicates when the thermostat 102 should initiate cooling an area, suchas by using the up and down arrows of settings buttons 912E and 912F,respectively. The thermostat 102 may include a limited user interface,or no user interface and be controlled remotely via an application, suchas a Smartphone application.

The user can set a temperature schedule through the user interface 900.The user can enter information about the area the thermostat 102 isresponsible for through the user interface 900. For example, the usercan enter data about the insulation used in the area, a square footageof the area, a website that the network 110 can pull weather data from,a zip code or other information indicating a geographical location ofthe area, or other area information through the user interface 900.

The information screen(s) 914 can display a temperature received from atemperature sensor 104A-E, a humidity received from a humidity sensor106A-E, an indoor or outdoor temperature, a weather forecast, thetemperature set point(s), or other system information.

FIG. 10 shows an example of time series data (sensor temperaturereadings “T1”, “T2”, . . . and “T17”, display temperatures “D1”, “D2”, .. . and “D17, and outdoor temperatures “O1”, “O2”, . . . and “O17”,corresponding to (e.g., received at) times “t1”, “t2”, . . . , “t17”,respectively) received from a temperature sensor 104A-E, the network, orother source and illustrates a plurality of example time windows 1016A,1016B, 1016C, 1016D, 1016E, 1016F, and 1016G.

Time window 1016A is configured for five time units, t1 through t5 inthis example. The sensor temperatures, T1 through T5, from therespective temperature sensor 104A-E, the display temperatures D1through D5, or the outdoor temperatures O1 through O5 can be used todetermine if a fault should be declared in the time window 1016A. Aftertime t6 has passed and the corresponding temperatures T6, D6, and O6have been determined or received from their respective components or thenetwork 110, time window 1016A can slide a time unit to become timewindow 1016B. The sensor temperatures, T2 through T6, displaytemperatures D2 through D6, or the outdoor temperatures O2 through O6can be used to determine if a fault should be declared in the timewindow 1016B.

In this example, time window 1016A and 1016B are sequential timewindows. Note that a time window can slide more than one time unitbefore the data in the time window 1016A-G is used to determine if afault should be declared. For example, time window 1016C can be a timewindow that is sequential with time window 1016A but is delayed threetime units from time window 1016A (e.g., from beginning at time t1 tobeginning at time t4). The size (e.g., time span or duration) of thetime windows 1016A-G can vary as well. Time windows 1016E, 1016F, and1016G are depicted as spanning four time units, while time windows1016A, 1016B, 1016C, and 1016D are depicted as spanning five time units.It should be appreciated that time windows with other sizes can be usedand are still consistent with this disclosure. Note that time units canbe any duration from fractions of a second to days, weeks, or evenmonths apart.

Time window 1016F can be two time units moved from time window 1016E andsequential (e.g., the next time window in a sequence) with time window1016E. Time window 1016G can be two time units moved or slid down fromtime window 1016F and sequential with time window 1016F. In one or moreembodiments, a location or oscillation fault can be declared for ifspecific criteria are met within a single time window 1016A-G, but analert or other declaration that the temperature is oscillating or in animproper location can be declared if the data in a specified number(e.g., a threshold number) of sequential time windows meets or exceedsthe criteria. The threshold can be any number, one or more. In this way,a tolerance for some oscillations or correlation issues between thesensor temperature and either the indoor or outdoor temperatures can betolerated without triggering an alert.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer systemmachine upon which any one or more of the techniques herein discussedmay be run, such as a computer system 1200 that can be communicativelycoupled to a thermostat 102, network 110, or fault detector 112. In oneor more embodiments, thermostat 102, network 110, or fault detector 112can include one or more items of computer system 1200. Computer system1200 may be embodied as a computing device, providing operations of athermostat 102 (from FIG. 1), network, or fault detector 112 or anyother processing or computing platform or component described orreferred to herein. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates asa standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to othermachines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in thecapacity of either a server or a client machine in server-client networkenvironments, or it may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environments. The computer system machine may be apersonal computer (PC), such as a PC that can be portable (e.g., anotebook or a netbook) or a PC that is not conveniently portable (e.g.,a desktop PC), a tablet, a set-top box (STB), a gaming console, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone or Smartphone, aweb appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machinecapable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specifyactions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a singlemachine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken toinclude any collection of machines that individually or jointly executea set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more ofthe methodologies discussed herein. Implementing techniques usingcomputer processors and other logic can lead to automated anomalydetection (e.g., anomaly or fault detection that does not include humaninterference). Recommendations for operator, owner, or other personnelaction for energy saving measures or maintenance suggestions can beprovided (e.g., automatically) using techniques detailed herein.

Example computer system 1200 can include a processor 1202 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) orboth), a main memory 1204 and a static memory 1206, which communicatewith each other via an interconnect 1208 (e.g., a link, a bus, etc.).The computer system 1200 may further include a video display unit 1210,an alphanumeric input device 1212 (e.g., a keyboard), and a userinterface (UI) navigation device 1214 (e.g., a mouse). In oneembodiment, the video display unit 1210, input device 1212 and UInavigation device 1214 are a touch screen display. The computer system1200 may additionally include a storage device 1216 (e.g., a driveunit), a signal generation device 1218 (e.g., a speaker), an outputcontroller 1232, a power management controller 1234, and a networkinterface device 1220 (which may include or operably communicate withone or more antennas 1230, transceivers, or other wirelesscommunications hardware), and one or more sensors 1228, such as a GPSsensor, compass, location sensor, accelerometer, or other sensor.

The storage device 1216 includes a machine-readable medium 1222 on whichis stored one or more sets of data structures and instructions 1224(e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of themethodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 1224 mayalso reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory1204, static memory 1206, and/or within the processor 1202 duringexecution thereof by the computer system 1200, with the main memory1204, static memory 1206, and the processor 1202 also constitutingmachine-readable media.

While the machine-readable medium 1222 is illustrated in an exampleembodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” mayinclude a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized ordistributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that storethe one or more instructions 1224. The term “machine-readable medium”shall also be taken to include any tangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure or that is capable of storing,encoding or carrying data structures utilized by or associated with suchinstructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly betaken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, opticalmedia, and magnetic media. Specific examples of machine-readable mediainclude non-volatile memory, including, by way of example, semiconductormemory devices (e.g., Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory(EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM))and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks andremovable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

The instructions 1224 may further be transmitted or received over acommunications network 1226 using a transmission medium via the networkinterface device 1220 utilizing any one of a number of well-knowntransfer protocols (e.g., HTTP). Examples of communication networksinclude a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), theInternet, mobile telephone networks, Plain Old Telephone (POTS)networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G LTE/LTE-Aor WiMAX networks). The term “transmission medium” shall be taken toinclude any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, orcarrying instructions for execution by the machine, and includes digitalor analog communications signals or other intangible medium tofacilitate communication of such software.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in this document, theterms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels,and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

As used herein, a “-” (dash) used when referring to a reference numbermeans or, in the non-exclusive sense discussed in the previousparagraph, of all elements within the range indicated by the dash. Forexample, 103A-B means a nonexclusive or of the elements in the range{103A, 103B}, such that 103A-103B includes “103A but not 103B”, “103Bbut not 103A”, and “103A and 103B”.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended orshould be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appendedclaims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, othermodifications are possible. For example, the logic flows depicted in thefigures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order,to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, or steps maybe eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may beadded to, or removed from, the described systems. Other embodiments maybe within the scope of the following claims.

1. An apparatus comprising: one or more computer processors configuredto: receive a series of temperature sensor readings from a temperaturesensor; determine if the temperature sensor is exhibiting behaviorconsistent with experiencing oscillations as a function of the receivedsensor readings; and in response to determining that the temperaturesensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations,recording in a memory data indicating that the temperature sensor isexhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more computer processors isfurther configured to: determine if the temperature sensor readingsindicate that the temperature at the temperature sensor is increasing ordecreasing; and update a trend reversal variable in response todetermining the temperature sensor readings indicate a temperature wentfrom (1) increasing to decreasing or (2) decreasing to increasing. 3.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more computer processors isfurther configured to: determine a difference between (1) an average ofmaximum and minimum temperature sensor readings in the moving timewindow and (2) an average of all temperature sensor readings in the timewindow; and determine if the difference is less than a first specifiedthreshold.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more computerprocessors is further configured to: determine if the trend reversalvariable is greater than a second threshold.
 5. The apparatus of claim4, wherein determining if the temperature sensor is exhibiting behaviorconsistent with experiencing oscillations includes determining thetemperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencingoscillations in response to determining at least one of: (1) thedifference is less than the first threshold and (2) the trend reversalvariable is greater than the second threshold.
 6. The apparatus of claim5, wherein the one or more processors is further configured to alertpersonnel that the temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistentwith experiencing oscillations in response to determining thetemperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencingoscillations.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the trend reversalvariable indicates how many trend reversals occurred in the moving timewindow.
 8. A method comprising: receiving a series of temperature sensorreadings from a temperature sensor; determining if the temperaturesensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillationsas a function of the received sensor readings; and in response todetermining that the temperature sensor is exhibiting behaviorconsistent with experiencing oscillations, recording in a memory dataindicating that the temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistentwith experiencing oscillations.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: determining if the temperature sensor readings indicate thatthe temperature at the temperature sensor is increasing or decreasing;and updating a trend reversal variable in response to determining thetemperature sensor signals indicate the temperature went from (1)increasing to decreasing or (2) decreasing to increasing.
 10. The methodof claim 9, further comprising: determining a difference between (1) anaverage of maximum and minimum temperature readings in a moving timewindow and (2) an average of all temperature readings received in themoving time window; and determining if the difference is less than afirst specified threshold.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: determining if the trend reversal variable is greater than asecond threshold.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining if thetemperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencingoscillations includes determining the temperature sensor is exhibitingbehavior consistent with experiencing oscillations in response todetermining at least one of: (1) the difference is less than the firstthreshold and (2) the trend reversal variable is greater than the secondthreshold.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: alerting oneor more personnel that the temperature sensor is exhibiting behaviorconsistent with experiencing oscillations in response to determining thetemperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencingoscillations.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the trend reversalvariable indicates how many trend reversals occurred in the moving timewindow.
 15. A computer readable storage device comprising instructionsstored thereon, the instructions, which when executed by a machine,cause the machine to perform operations comprising: receiving a seriesof temperature sensor readings from a temperature sensor; determining ifthe temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent withexperiencing oscillations as a function of the received sensor readings;and in response to determining that the temperature sensor is exhibitingbehavior consistent with experiencing oscillations, recording in amemory data indicating that the temperature sensor is exhibitingbehavior consistent with experiencing oscillations.
 16. The storagedevice of claim 15, further comprising instructions, which when executedby the machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:determining if the temperature sensor readings indicate that thetemperature at the temperature sensor is increasing or decreasing; andupdating a trend reversal variable in response to determining thetemperature sensor signals indicate the temperature went from (1)increasing to decreasing or (2) decreasing to increasing.
 17. Thestorage device of claim 16, further comprising instructions, which whenexecuted by the machine, cause the machine to perform operationscomprising: determining a difference between (1) an average of maximumand minimum temperature readings in a moving time window and (2) anaverage of all temperature readings received in the moving time window;and determining if the difference is less than a first specifiedthreshold.
 18. The storage device of claim 17, further comprisinginstructions, which when executed by the machine, cause the machine toperform operations comprising: determining if the trend reversalvariable is greater than a second threshold.
 19. The storage device ofclaim 18, wherein the instructions for determining if the temperaturesensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillationsinclude instructions for determining the temperature sensor isexhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations inresponse to determining at least one of: (1) the difference is less thanthe first threshold and (2) the trend reversal variable is greater thanthe second threshold.
 20. The storage device of claim 19, furthercomprising instructions, which when executed by the machine, cause themachine to perform operations comprising: alerting one or more personnelthat the temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent withexperiencing oscillations in response to determining the temperaturesensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations.